Green Cross Code Man
Wunt be druv
Seems to be from what I have read since you started this thread. Big mistake.
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[Technology] Anyone ordered the Apple HomePod?
- Thread starter Icy Gull
- Start date
Seems to be from what I have read since you started this thread. Big mistake.
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
One thing I would love if the Homepod does it, is to be able to network connect (not bluetooth) from an iPad or iPhone and play the sound of a streaming video service through the Homepod speaker. So if you were watching Netflix, Prime, iPlayer etc. on your device, you could send the sound from the device to the speaker. You can't do this with Sonos or Echo.
Green Cross Code Man
Wunt be druv
You can do this with Google Home. It works well with music but not so well streaming from Netflix, I just tried Star Trek Discovery, and the sound whilst good, was hopelessly out of time with the video. I don't think Bluetooth is quick enough.
indy3050
Well-known member
- Jun 22, 2011
- 1,304
£319, seems expensive in comparison to a Bose Soundbox. All reviews welcome once it arrives on 09 Feb
I like Apple stuff.
Android users who hate everything Apple with a vengeance need not respond because I already know what you’ll be saying
https://www.apple.com/uk/homepod/
I won’t buy it, purely because Apple will probably slow it down in 3 years like they have my iPhone 6 the dirty ****ers (I’m an Apple fanboy too)
Easy 10
Brain dead MUG SHEEP
I've always been very happy with the sound quality on the Echo. Decent base and depth, lovely and clear, but as you say, I'm not an audiophile / nerd so I'm sure there is better out there for those with a more refined ear, and the Apple will probably cater for that. Plus half the time I'm listening on my blutooth headphones anyway. But if the functionality is pretty much the same, except it ties you in to an Apple subscription, and its x4 the price, then...mmmnah.
There is a significant difference between the Echo and the Sonos 1 we have (which is now the £149 version I believe) in terms of audio quality. It's not even close.
seagulls4ever
New member
- Oct 2, 2003
- 4,338
I was going to post something similar. Apple is already far behind Google and Amazon, with no chance of catching up because it doesn't have the necessary data. Although it has recently purchased Shazam so that it has access to more data about how people listen to music.
I think the only people this is going to appeal to is Apple fanboys. In the long run, Apple isn't going to be a major player in the home assistant market, I don't think.
StonehamPark
#Brighton-Nil
I think, in the long run, Apple are going to lose their current place in the market.
In this years lineup is a rumoured 'budget' iPhone X with an LCD screen and fewer features than the current X. Priced at around 700.00 ish.
Don't underestimate the Apple fanboy market. It never ceases to amaze me when I'm in the US how many people are wearing an Apple Watch, which means they have an iPhone in their pocket.
That said, Apple have sort of boxed themselves into a corner on this. They've long made a big deal of differentiating their approach to privacy to Google's. Apple don't read your emails, your calendar and your search history, amongst other things. Google do, and need to, so they can serve you context-relevant ads. Google do, essentially, sell your data to whoever wants it in order they can advertise to you.
As things have evolved, the tech that Google built to be the advertising behemoth it is, turns out to also be very good at personal assistant type stuff as they know a huge amount about their users.
As you say, Apple have intentionally not done this. They haven't needed to deep dive into the data of their users because, by and large, Apple aren't selling their users to advertisers. That leaves them in a tricky position for personal assistant functionality - the stuff that lies beyond basic voice recognition and obeying simple commands.
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
And you don't need a refined ear to tell the difference ...one of the things i don't use my echo for is music
tinx
Well-known member
The fact I can't use it with Spotify means I am out.
Already invested in Sonos, with Alexa dots around the house anyway.
Already invested in Sonos, with Alexa dots around the house anyway.
Some early hands-on stuff coming out.
"Recently, though, I heard Apple’s HomePod again in a variety of scenarios and spaces. It sounded even better, especially when compared to larger Google Home Max and the aurally excellent Sonos One, the HomePod’s separation of sounds and fidelity to original instrumentation is astonishing."
"What Apple has here is an ultra-high-quality speaker and the first physical instantiation of Siri without a screen. The fact that Apple is finally entering the smart speaker race is cause for muted celebration. It’s attractive, sounds amazing and is an excellent Siri ambassador. And it’s $349. Is better sound and solid iOS integration (plus the added cost of an Apple Music subscription) worth spending nearly four times as much as a decent sounding Echo?"
https://medium.com/@LanceUlanoff/up-close-with-apple-homepod-siris-expensive-new-home-22f1ee0e682
"Recently, though, I heard Apple’s HomePod again in a variety of scenarios and spaces. It sounded even better, especially when compared to larger Google Home Max and the aurally excellent Sonos One, the HomePod’s separation of sounds and fidelity to original instrumentation is astonishing."
"What Apple has here is an ultra-high-quality speaker and the first physical instantiation of Siri without a screen. The fact that Apple is finally entering the smart speaker race is cause for muted celebration. It’s attractive, sounds amazing and is an excellent Siri ambassador. And it’s $349. Is better sound and solid iOS integration (plus the added cost of an Apple Music subscription) worth spending nearly four times as much as a decent sounding Echo?"
https://medium.com/@LanceUlanoff/up-close-with-apple-homepod-siris-expensive-new-home-22f1ee0e682
RandyWanger
Je suis rôti de boeuf
Massive Apple fan boy here, but I've not felt the need to 'upgrade' from my sonos play 1. Talking to my speakers doesn't interest me and when I've been to peoples houses who have Alexa, they just look like cocks when she mugs them off and ignores what they're saying 
Massive Apple fan boy here, but I've not felt the need to 'upgrade' from my sonos play 1. Talking to my speakers doesn't interest me and when I've been to peoples houses who have Alexa, they just look like cocks when she mugs them off and ignores what they're saying
We use our Echo to voice control the Sonoses (?) if we feel so inclined.
clippedgull
Hotdogs, extra onions
If I hadn't invested in my Sonos Kit I may have bitten and taken a HomePod on a 14 day trial period.
I see Sonos have come out fighting and are offering a bundle of two Sonos Ones for £349.
I see Sonos have come out fighting and are offering a bundle of two Sonos Ones for £349.
Nitram
Well-known member
- Jul 16, 2013
- 2,178
Have loads of Apple products but struggling to see where this fits in. As a sound box it’s quite a good price if it’s any good as long as it’s high end although I would probably go for a Niam Muso. As a control system for home use like Alexa seems too expensive. Big draw back as it’s doesnt support Spotify. Although I would play that through my hi fi system.
Not a fan of Sonos but I suppose that’s where this may be aimed. Think it falls between too many stools.
Not a fan of Sonos but I suppose that’s where this may be aimed. Think it falls between too many stools.
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
Will you be inviting Randy round?
Sorrel
Well-known member
I was wrong about it only supporting Apple Music subscription, see; https://www.imore.com/how-homepod-works-apple-music-itunes-match-icloud-music-library-airplay-and-flac-files